Runner-up Josh is our golden boy

Published on 13/10/2010 16:43

THE family of Commonwealth boxer Josh Taylor today told how he was still their golden boy - despite the teenager missing out on gold in Dehli.

&#149 Josh Taylor got silver after losing to Tom Stalker

Family gathered round the television at Josh's Prestonpans home to watch the bout yesterday, only to see him lose to an older and far more experienced opponent.

Liverpool lightweight Tom Stalker, 26, beat the 19-year-old in a match Josh's father described as "man against boy".

Dad James, 47, a council driver, said: "We're still extremely proud of him, but we know he'll be gutted.

"I thought the fight was absolutely fantastic.

"He did his best and put his heart and soul into it, but at the end of the day he was fighting the captain of the England team who has been boxing since he was five years old. Josh only started boxing about four years ago.

"Still, there's not many people come back to East Lothian with a silver medal."

A homecoming celebration has been arranged at the Prestongrange Bowling Club on Saturday, where Josh will be able to show off his medal to family and friends.

The early days of this year's Commonwealth Games were tarnished by fears that the facilities wouldn't be up to scratch.

However, proud mum Diane, 47, a receptionist at Meadowbank Sports Centre, said both Josh and his accommodation were in great shape.

She said: "He said the facilities were excellent and couldn't understand what all the fuss was about, and he said the food's fantastic.

"He was eating quite healthily, but I think he managed to squeeze in the odd bit of pizza.

"When he went out there he said he was going to win that gold medal. He had his heart set on it so he'll be devastated but he's had a great time in Delhi, and loved every minute of it.

"We're gutted for him that he didn't win, though. I'm just lost for words."

Two other Edinburgh-born athletes are set to return home with medals.

Jen McIntosh became only the fifth woman to win multiple Commonwealth Games gold medals, winning gold in the rifle 50m prone competition. The 19-year-old, who now lives in Aberdeen, chalked up 597 points from a possible 600 to take gold ahead of Tejaswini Sawant, of India, while Johanne Brekke, of Wales, picked up bronze.

It came just 24 hours after McIntosh teamed up with Banff's Kay Copland to clinch pairs rifle 50m prone gold, while Sawant was part of the bronze medal pairing in the same event.

Meanwhile, the Capital's Angus McLeod took the silver medal in the full bore open pairs shooting final. The British Army major has recently returned from Afghanistan, and shortly after his return from Delhi he'll be flying out again for a posting in Sudan.